Affordable Conical Fermenter

[Anavrin]

I'm on about the 30 litre fastferment conical by the way, just in case anyone thinks I bought a 120 litre one mentioned above.

I just need to figure out how I'm going to hang it and where, they are 30litre to the very top, not 30litre plus some head room like I first thought, the odd shape is causing some potential problems regarding filling, moving it around and where to hang it!

[Anavrin]

I said the other day I felt a build coming on and today I've trashed my guarage on order to move things around, all this work because I bought an odd shaped "Pointy Bucket" !!






I'm going to box in the sides in and insulate them around the two fermenters, the bottom bucket will have a simple heater mat and I will fit a 60w tube heater just under the back of the conicle, this one will be controlled and connected to the thermowell in the conicle, it won't need to be on so often as there will be some heat from the bottom bucket.

If it gets too hot I'm going to have the controller switch on some fans that will circulate cold air from underneath and out the top or side, not decided yet.

[Icefever]

Looking good dude...

[Mash]

It will be most interesting to know the impact of the finished product.

[Magnu420]

A shame you wernt near this guy
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/151989662105

[Seagull]

A shame you wernt near this guy
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/151989662105

Thanks for that tip! That little beauty is now mine!!

[Seagull]

I said the other day I felt a build coming on and today I've trashed my guarage on order to move things around, all this work because I bought an odd shaped "Pointy Bucket" !!






I'm going to box in the sides in and insulate them around the two fermenters, the bottom bucket will have a simple heater mat and I will fit a 60w tube heater just under the back of the conicle, this one will be controlled and connected to the thermowell in the conicle, it won't need to be on so often as there will be some heat from the bottom bucket.

If it gets too hot I'm going to have the controller switch on some fans that will circulate cold air from underneath and out the top or side, not decided yet.

Have you started a wash in it yet?

I'm picking mine up tomorrow and planning my first Vodkastar wash, probably without liquid carbon.

[Anavrin]

I've been working away so I've not used it yet, I'm waiting got a couple of STC 1000 temp controllers to arrive from ebay then I'll carry on and build the cabinet.

I thought about just throwing a VodkaStar with 5kg sugar just to test it but didn't have time, one thing I have thought is you still need another bucket to disolve your sugar in but at least that way there's no chance of ever scratching the inside of the conical with your big sugar stirring spoon

[Benoit]

Something like this ED?

Benoit

[Seagull]

Found this:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-247-Shop__ ... _nkw=spoon

And shorter and cheaper, this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-18-inch ... 0801862151

[Mash]

There is a lot of info here... viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3692&p=28528&hilit=Paddle#p28528

[Anavrin]

Finally got around to making some progress on the fermenting cabinet and insulated the back and sides, also got my two temperature controllers but it seems I wasn't paying attention when I bought them, they arnt proper STC 1000's that can control a heater and cooler but standard ones that can only control heat or cooling.

[Anavrin]

Finally made a little progress with this, I've rigged up a 65watt bar heater under the conical fermenter but above the collection jar at the bottom and insulated the front, filled it with cold water and turned on the heater.

I'll find out if it
A, can heat up 23litres
B, if it leaks

Don't want to be putting a £30+ wine kit in there for it to all leak out!!

[Seagull]

I overtightened the collection ball on mine and stripped the thread right off the ball. Bought a replacement collection ball but have lost a bit of faith in it and it's just sat in its box ever since.

[Mash]

I am still undecided. Does the conical bit make any difference?
Handling - maybe? Trub/lees management maybe? But flavour I really doubt it if I am honest.

IMO conical is essential for our commercial cousins but is it one of those things that just doesn't translate to us ?

I fancy a new fermenter for beer and wash, but I am not sure there is a benefit over the youngs wide mouth.